unexpected
uh-nihk-SPEHK-tihd
Unexpected (adj) means not anticipated or predicted beforehand. Example: “An unexpected knock at the door made us all jump.”
adj
1
Not anticipated or predicted beforehand.
"Providing accommodation is a significant constraint, and an unexpected development from the restoration of services to Okehampton is demand from the Exeter student population to rent local properties."
— 'Industry Insider', The value of rail reopenings (2024)
"But the latest Santa Fe development, while not spurring the Rock Island to any further acceleration, has drawn fire from a totally unexpected quarter."
— , Overseas Railways: Acceleration Proceeds in U.S.A (1940)
"An unexpected knock at the door made us all jump."
"The team pulled off an unexpected victory in the final minutes."
"Her resignation came as an unexpected shock to the board."
How to use unexpected
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA surprise — something that happened without anyone predicting it.
Common pairings
unexpected turn
unexpected result
unexpected guest
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Word forms
- Plural
- unexpecteds
- Comparative
- more unexpected
- Superlative
- most unexpected
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ knock at the door made us all jump.
Etymology
From un- ("not") plus expected, the past participle of expect.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unexpected
erected
elected
expected
dejected
directed
affected
detected
selected
effected
infected
projected
deflected
See all rhymes for unexpected →
Frequently asked questions
What does “unexpected” mean?
The word “unexpected” means not anticipated or predicted beforehand. In plain terms, a surprise — something that happened without anyone predicting it.
How do you pronounce “unexpected”?
“Unexpected” is pronounced uh-nihk-SPEHK-tihd (/ʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “unexpected” in a sentence?
Here is “unexpected” used in a sentence: “The team pulled off an unexpected victory in the final minutes.”
What is the opposite of “unexpected”?
The opposite of “unexpected” — its antonyms — is expected.
What part of speech is “unexpected”?
“Unexpected” is an adjective.
Is “unexpected” a common word?
“Unexpected” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "unexpected" and "unforeseen"?
Both mean not anticipated in advance. "Unexpected" is the everyday, general term, while "unforeseen" often suggests something that could not have been predicted even with care and is common in formal contexts such as "unforeseen circumstances."
What is the difference between "unexpected" and "surprising"?
"Unexpected" simply means not predicted beforehand, focusing on the lack of anticipation. "Surprising" adds an emotional reaction of wonder or astonishment, so an event can be unexpected without being especially surprising.
Can "unexpected" describe both good and bad things?
Yes. "Unexpected" is neutral and applies to anything not anticipated, whether welcome or unwelcome, as in "an unexpected gift" or "an unexpected delay."
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